IRAQ War survivor Alan Tudball is to marry his sweetheart a year after being flown home in a coma.

The former lance corporal in the Household Cavalry was partially paralysed after being hit by so-called friendly fire by the Americans.

Mr Tudball, 24, was in an armoured vehicle mistakenly targeted by a US warplane.

Plans to marry girlfriend Claire McCombe had to be put on hold for a year as he fought for his life.

But the wedding for the couple from Moreton, Wirral, will finally go ahead next month.

A special guest will be Trooper Chris Finney, 19, the soldier awarded the George Cross last week by the Queen for saving Mr Tudball's life.

Mr Ginney pulled him from the burning wreckage of his Scimitar vehicle.

Today Mr Tudball said: "There have been times when I thought this wedding would never take place.

"I am ecstatic to be marrying Claire. If it had not been for her love and support there is no way I'd have made it."

The couple 's weddingdi ng arrangements hit the headlines at the end of last year when a Wirral hotel threatened to sue the couple for £2,500 after they were forced to cancel it because of Mr Tudball's injuries.

The hotel backed down after the intervention of Wirral solicitor David Kirwan and protests from hundreds of Liverpool ECHO readers.

Miss McCombe, 21, who works with adults with mental health and learning difficulties, said: "When Alan came back from Iraq he was in a critical condition.

"The doctors told me he could end up in a vegetative state for the rest of his life.

"But there was no way I was going to turn my back on him."

The couple will marry at 2pm on Friday, April 16, and hold their 240-guest celebration at the De Vere Village Hotel in Bromborough, which offered to stage the wedding and reception for free.

Morning dress is being provided by Elegance in Bebington and wedding cars have been offered by Balmoral Wedding Cars in Wallasey.